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Autumn is my absolute favorite season of all! Living in New England, I really do get to experience all four seasons, with the biggest challenge being the winter. Sometimes it creeps up earlier than expected and chooses to hang out longer than desired. I’ll spare us a revisit the winter travails of Massachusetts last year. What I note though is that not everyone looks at the changes in seasons the same way. See, I find pluses and minuses of each. Winter can be bone chilling cold but I love the days of snowfall so intense that all you can do is snuggle, warm drink in hand and watch a great movie from your couch. Spring can take fooooooorever to show up but once it’s here, it brings with it the promise of even warner weather with so much to do outside. Summer, need I say more? Yes, some days can get waaaaaaaay too hot, but outside activities are limitless. Autumn, brings the warning of colder days ahead but helps us transition with BEAUTIFUL foliage and opportunities for fabulous fashion! And yet, some of us like one season and one only or simply despise another. I could go on and on but this is also the case in life.

It is inevitable that as long as you’re living your life is going to bring with it different seasons. Things can’t go well 100% of the time, but, they can’t go horribly wrong 100% of the time either. It just can’t. Some seasons can be more prolonged than others but it is inevitable that there will be change. Over the past few months, another theme tied to this that has been coming up for my clients is that of the changing seasons of friendships.

Lately, I’ve consistently been heard things like:

“You know, I was a little down because as I was going through ‘x-situation’, I realized the folks who have usually been there for me just haven’t been.”

“I’ve been noticing a shift in my group lately….folks are kind of falling off.”

“As I approach my 30s, I am noticing that not everyone is game for continuing my journey with me….it kind of sucks. It’s like they don’t accept the growth in me, or at least that I’m feeling I’m experiencing.”

I’ve been through all of this before myself so of course I have to ask each of them “As you’re noticing some folks falling away or distancing or even just cutting off ties with you, are other people showing up?” Consistently the response has been “Yes and totally out of the blue!” Yup, see just like the old saying “God never closes one door without opening another,” I don’t believe you’re ever left with loss without some form of compensation for that loss showing up. This is especially true since we as human beings are just not intended to be alone. So of course other people are going to show up in your life…and they will probably be so much better for you since they’re showing up in a season where the value of their presence is beyond measure. Accept it as time for new fruit.

So what is there to do in seasons of changing friendships?

Acknowledge your hurt: There are so many ways we try to be so strong and so tough and so unaffected by people and circumstances that we don’t let ourselves hurt or at least we don’t think we do. See, if you don’t take the time to let yourself acknowledge that these changes are impacting you, the “dealing with it” will show up in other ways. You’ll be arguing over something with your spouse that you know has nothing to do with them. You’ll be short-tempered with the kids. You’ll give your coworkers some unrelenting side-eye and it really has nothing to do with them and all to do with the fact that the change, especially if unexpected has really dampened your spirits. Let yourself acknowledge it especially with someone who can give you perspective.

Decide to move on: Don’t let yourself get stuck in acknowledgement. Once you’ve made note of what’s happening or happened, give yourself the gift of moving on. Start by treating yourself to a party for one….may be a day of catching up on Essence reading, a day at the spa, just a mani and pedi…something. Focus on you, even if just for a bit then…..remember…..NOT EVERYONE IS GONE! You’ve still got others in your life. Shift your focus from what’s changing to what’s…who’s staying the same and reach out, engage, move on.

Accept the beauty of change: When you’re going through these seasons, always think of fall foliage. It’s so beautiful and brings so much with it. It can be hard but look at the beauty of it. Change is usually an indication of growth, strengthening, progress, forward movement….though it may not always look and feel like it, there’s beauty in it. Take note of it and accept it. When you do, you’ll notice how truly breathtaking it and you are!!!!

Live fabulously fierce: Being who you are is not dependent on who is in your life. Others compliment who you are and the best of friends help bring out the best of who you are. But no on, no one, makes you who you are other than you. Commit to continuing to live fabulously fierce or however it is you choose to live….fabulously empowered….fabulously strong….fabulously hopeful….you choose and LIVE IT!!!!

Final note: With the whole Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson scene at the Emmy’s…which I will not get into simply because I know I just will not stop once I start…..there has been an increase in consciousness of “who’s clapping for you”….who’s in your tribe…who’s got your back….etc etc. It’s raising our level of awareness that we actually get to decide who comes into our lives and who’s influence we’re going to let impact us. Know that this is actually empowerment. You get to choose. You get to choose. Be empowered in that and know that you decide through your intentions, actions, and who you attract, who will be in your life. Accept the change in seasons and engage in facilitating what the seasons will entail with those you allow to be part of your journey. And…..It. Always. Gets. Better. And so do you!

Soundtrack of the week:Count on Me. Be encouraged-your new season of friendships will result in those who can sing this song with you and know that the truth of the lyrics run deep.

There has been so much going on for me as of late, more than I’ve ever imagined, and I am totally overwhelmed with it all, in the most positive way possible! I have wanted to share so much and actually have too many drafts of LFF Factor #40 to count and it’s all because I’ve tried to capture my next “soundbite” as perfectly as possible. What I’ve learned in the drafting process is that sometimes, it just takes a bit of rambling to get out the message we intend, and it usually results in an even greater impact than we could have hoped. So, let’s just dive into living life to the fullest.

I think the first time I was cognizant of this message that we are all familiar with was in high school. For whatever reason, I just remember so many of the adults in my life at the time stressing the importance of seizing opportunities, living in each moment, appreciating the season…living life to the fullest. I can’t honestly say that I did anything different than what I would do, but I do remember being on highs all the time. The highs of

connecting with people

experiencing new things

always feeling out of my comfort zone but being motivated by that, and

daydreaming like mad about what was next!

So as I reflect back and simultaneously look at all that is in the here in now, many years after being that high school kid, I realize that that is really what living life to the fullest is all about…..

Connecting with people: Anyone who knows me knows that I would literally talk to the wall if the wall would talk back. I’m a story seeker. I love learning about others’ experiences and hearing what their interests are. I often picture our lives as movie scenes interwoven through unexpected connections. I love it! It adds a lot of flavor to life and I wouldn’t change it for the world! So, consider how you connect with folks. No, I’m not saying you need to make friends with everyone who crosses your path, but I have found that just listening to any piece of someone else’s story that they’re willing to share and sharing what I’m comfortable sharing has always improved a moment, a day, a week….life.

Experiencing new things: Man oh man has 2014 already shown me the benefit of this point. So far, I’ve spoken to three new audiences that I would never have imagined being able to, set the goal of just auditioning for a fabulous play and then actually got the role that I auditioned for, and then was in the play (still baffled and truly grateful), and just this past Friday, I did a 5k with my friend Alesha. Sometimes, I seriously sit back and think “Farah, seriously, you’re doing this?” And then, I’m totally stunned by what I’ve done that I never even thought of doing. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “everything that is now possible was once thought impossible.” This has been enough motivation for me since my AP History Class with Mrs. Joseph junior year at Fontbonne Academy when I first came across this quote to be open to experiencing new things. This year has just been a more continuous revelation of that. So, what new things are you going to let yourself at least consider today?

Stepping out of your comfort zone and being motivated by this: On some level this is a bit sick. I was just recounting to one of my peers at work that the reason that I took the job that I’m in now was because it actually scared the mess out of me. I’ve never operated in the space in which I’m in now and never had as high a level of accountability in such a senior role both locally and nationally. I “knew” that I didn’t have expertise to bring to the role but I also knew that that would be enough for me to be as driven and motivated to excel in it. The yielded results are beyond what I could have ever imagined. As I’m now getting comfortable, I know it’s time to start finding ways to get uncomfortable to maintain that drive. What’s your comfort zone? How are you going to get out of it and be motivated in the process.

Daydreaming like mad: I have learned and experienced the power of visioning. Last year I was really diligent about taking golf lessons and one of the things I remember the most was how the coach would tell me to “take a practice swing every time, not just to practice but to picture the ball going exactly where you want it to go.” Every time I did that, the ball always went exactly where I wanted it to go….exactly!!! At the same time, I’m also seeing being in the role I’m in now as the result of daydreaming about being as successful as Claire Huxtable when I was eight years old…..about being on a stage when I was ten years old, even though I had to quit dancing because we just didn’t have the money to continue lessons, I just kept daydreaming about the stage, envisioning myself on it again…..about getting fit and focusing on being healthy and starting to get involved in more fitness-related activities even when I was the most out of shape in high school and not as involved in sports as I had been previously. And lo and behold 2014. Just yesterday I was coaching a client, “Rachel”, and she has had a goal of getting back into shape and being healthy. We didn’t start with what she would do today to start to get back on track. We started with “imagine what “Rachel” May 2015 looks like. Tell me about it.” As she started to daydream out loud, we acknowledged how much she liked that picture and she committed to that. Then we stepped back to determine today’s next step toward that. She’s taking her practice swings and I have no doubt her “ball” is going to land exactly where it needs to and I’m so excited about it. I belabor this particular point because I have experienced the power of it. So, what are you giving yourself the opportunity to daydream about?

I’d love to hear what you’ve got to share so much so that I’m still on a high from all the complimentary sessions I did last week that I’m offering one 30-minute complimentary session to the first person*to comment on any one of the four points that they’re going to commit to. Let me hear you!

Soundtrack of the Week: This was such a popular song during my high school years that it seems most appropriate here. Enjoy Green Day’s Time of Your Life

Hope you’re enjoying this branding journey as much as I am. I’ve been giving you quite a bit of “homework” and a number of you have let me know that’s it’s really helpful, so what choice do I have but to give you more!?!?!? I kid, I kid…

So I trust that you’ve requested your feedback and as I’m still waiting for a few folks to get back to me, you’re probably waiting too. I say for now, go with what you have. A few of you have asked me to share more about myself on this platform, so, while I don’t find that to be the easiest thing for me, you know, talking about myself, I can appreciate that you want to know more about this F Bernier telling you to do this and do that. So in true transparency, I’m going to share the feedback that I’ve gotten from my circle…the good, the not so good, and the ‘fine, I can take that’ feedback.

Below are the questions I suggested you go out with and the responses that I’ve got so far:

If you could only describe me in three words, what would those three words be?

§Hardworking, Ambitious, Resilient

§Determined, Smart, Focused

What would you say is the absolute best thing about me?

§You are such a great friend! Always there when I need you 🙂

§Your ability to balance (God, Family, Personal Goals and work)

What is the one characteristic about me that could be eliminated or improved?

§Over-extending yourself/Over-booking yourself. Sometimes it’s ok to just sit around and do nothing and not think.

§You are already working on this- taking time for you 😀

What truly makes me unique from your perspective?

You are one of the most determined people I know. You try to look at the bright side of everything so you don’t let anything stop you from achieving your goals.

Your ability to see light/good/potential in others and to help guide them to see potential in themselves. You are not scared to call out someone who is living below excellence.

What do you think keeps me from being my very best?

Over-analyzing things (ahem, relationships). Sometimes “it is what it is”. It’s ok to follow your heart and gut even though sometimes they just don’t make sense especially when it comes to the matters of the heart.

I think you are striving and growing and therefore you are not kept from being your best.

Sooooo, yup that’s a little bit of me from my friends’ lens. So grateful that I could give them extra homework and they actually did it!!! Thanks KitKat and Erika! As I get additional feedback, I’ll be sure to share.

The combination of this feedback and our answers to the first set of questions I shared with you…you know, the ‘Who am I’ questions, create a great start to just learning more about ourselves. See, now you have your own view and the view of others. Honestly, the consistency across the board from my friends telling me to take more time for myself is very clear that, although I almost lost my mind two weekends ago because I had two full weekend days of absolutely nothing on the agenda, I could benefit from doing more of that and just relaxing or not thinking…..it’s actually recharge time! Feedback heard, received, and ready to apply.

Now moving into the assessments, I encouraged everyone to start with the Strengths Finder 2.0. Where did I land with my Top 5 Themes? So glad you asked! Here goes:

Relator (Shocker!)

Individualization

Strategic

Ideation

Intellection

So spot on! I won’t dig too deeply into all of the points, but my top theme, Relator, points out that I

“Enjoy close relationships with others, find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal, am driven by my talents, have people usually turn to me for plainspoken, easy-to-understand explanations, welcome opportunities to spend time with friends who enjoy thinking about the future…”

So check out that description and go back to my friends’ feedback….see the alignment? I totally can’t deny any of it right? This is so important because having all of this information helps me understand how I can bring who I cam to everything that I do and be the most effective in my life, both personally and professionally. Now I’m really ready to engage in some self-definition.

Self-Definition

Don’t worry, I’m not going to over do it. As I promised in the beginning. I want us to take this proces slow so that we really do the full exercise of becoming and being our best.

Self-Definition is really all about taking everyhting you’ve just gone through, the self relfection, the review of your feedback and whatever skills insight you got through whichever assessment(s) you used and starting to determine how you want to show up and who you want to be. This is not about building facades as someone once misinterpreted my passion around personal branding. This is all about what part or parts of yourself you want to exude, consistently in the interactions you have with folks. Remember, personal branding is all about building a reputation. What is the reputation you want to build and how do you leverage what you’ve just learned about yourself to define that repuation and essentially define who you are.

So, to complete this process, we’re going to do a vision exercise. Imagine: You’ve been nominated and selected by your friends and family to speak at your High School as an alum. Graduation is two weeks away and the school administration has asked that you submit a bio that will be included in the commencement program and used to introduce you right before you speak. DO NOT write this as you stand today. DO write this to reflect the reputation that you want communicated. For clarification purposes, I’ll share that I am currently coaching an Executive Assistant on her personal brand and she keeps identifying herself as “just an EA.” So I’ve asked her to start practicing her intro as she’d like it to be and we will, over time, bring that reputation to life. This week, just write the reputation through this exerise, and we’ll go from there.

Soundtrack of the week: I believe it was Malcolm X who said that “Man only swears when he doesn’t have the vocabulary to express himself.” While I agree with this, I have to appreciate Jill Scott’s Womanifesto as in this song she is totally going through self-definition and I love it. My apologies if it offends, but if you can appreciate the exercise, I think this is a great soundtrack for the week! Enjoy!

I hope you’ve all been doing well! I gave you a little extra time to answer the questions I listed for you in the last post. At this point, you’ve gotten closer to the answer to the question “Who Am I?”. I trust that you’ve done some inward digging to better understand who you are, where you come from, what makes you tick, what makes you sick, and glimpses of what makes you fabulously fierce. So now, it’s time to delve into part two of the self-discovery phase: Leveraging people and tools to identify key components of who you are.

I actually started to do a little bit of this, this week, with the team of the UK’s Unleash, with members in their UK and Barcelona offices. It was amazing. Honestly, watching folks go through this process is totally my high. So, I’m absolutely looking forward to you doing the same!

Jumping right in…

Leveraging People:

When I talk about this, what I mean is really going out and getting feedback from those in your circle. I never get tired of highlighting my circle…let me tell you, I’ve got some pretty amazing individuals in my life who will always tell me when I’m doing well, when I’m not doing so hot, and when I absolutely need to get my act together and get back on the fabulously fierce track! Love them love them love them love them love them. Yup, if I’m ever messing up, just reach out to the Aundrea Cline-Thomases and the Veronica Chapmans of my world, just to name a couple,let them know, and they’ll get on me.

Believe it or not, you’ve got your own Aundreas and Veronicas in your life. They may not be as bold to give you feedback, even when you’re not asking for it, like these two, but you’ve got them. What you may need to do is reach out and give them permission to give you feedback. What do I mean? Well, it’s really simple. Just go out, let them know you’re actively working on your brand, investing the time and energy in yourself in this way and you need their help…their candid, open, honest help. Then, just ask:

If you could only describe me in three words, what would those three words be?

What would you say is the absolute best thing about me?

What is the one characteristic about me that could be eliminated or improved?

What truly makes me unique from your perspective?

What do you think keeps me from being my very best?

Yup, seriously, go out and get it. AND DO ONLY THAT. DO NOT:

React positively or negatively

Ask any probing questions…not yet.

This will help you avoid the chance that you might roll your eyes, suck your teeth, or give the head roll in response to any feedback your don’t necessarily agree with. C’mon, you know how some of us can get.

Then, while your friends, coworkers, mentors, your mom (only ask her if she’s like mine and will totally tell you the truth, not just say “oh baby you’re perfect the way you are”) your siblings, your boo…etc, are pulling their thoughts together for you, I need you to dig deeper into your own personal skills and capabilities leveraging some assessments.

Leveraging Assessments:

Some folks get leary of assessments or just freak out because they think it’s about exposing things in them. To that I put forth a REMINDER: in this phase you’re just focusing in on increasing your self-awareness….assessments help do that.

In the world of assessments and inventories, there really are so many that you can take that are credible. The most commonly used one is the Myers-Briggs indicator which just highlights how you see the world. In addition to this one, I’ve also taken the Whole Brain, True Colors, DiSC and Strengths Finder Assessments. I’ve been fortunate enough to work for various organizations that covered the cost of these. While I always encourage personal investment, I always support doing so strategically..ie finding ways to avoid having to pay directly out of pocket. That being said there are enough assessments out there that won’t cost you too much and are still quite valuable. So, I’m going to ask that you go out and pick up the book, Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. It includes a unique access code for you to take the Strengths Finder 2.0 Assessment and gives you access to the website where you can dig deeper into understanding what your resulting strengths say about you. Do it, do it, do it. When we come back to this, I’ll share mine….I’d love it if you’d share yours and then we’ll move into how we can leverage the feedback you get from your circle and the results of your assessment to start the second phase of self-definition.

Since we’re all in the process of just getting better and better and watching things get, as my Pastor would say, “gooder and gooder,” I hope you know that truly your best days are ahead of you. So with that, this week’s soundtrack is Tamela Mann’s Best Days, which also happens to be the adopted theme song of Living Fabulously Fierce! Enjoy!

I have had an incredible weekend so I am on an incredible high yet incredibly fatigued! If only I had the super power of never needing sleep!!! Ah well.

One of my weekend activities included participating in the Babson College Black Affinity Conference! It was great! Friday’s segment involved a great discussion around Black hair. Gennifer Miller of Healthy Textures, Shariffa Barnett Author of 5 Hair Archetypes, and Dr. Tina Opie who I wish was a professor when I was there, were incredible panelists! The session was slated as a two-hour conversation, which went on for three and it only ended because security had to shut the building down…and couldn’t do so with the 50 or so women in attendance still in the building. All this being said, this is not a post on Black hair…I’m sure one day soon that will be a topic for us here in some form or fashion, but what everything boiled down to in Friday’s discussion was nothing more than decisions and the ability to make and own your life choices…whether it has to do with hair or, what I’d like to really broaden it to, the various life choices we all have to make.

We’ve spent a lot of time here at LFF addressing the aspect of vision. Many of you have actually taken my recommendations to illustrate your vision, prayerfully sought the wisdom to know which steps to take, and actually started to take some major steps. I love hearing from you about what’s new and exciting in your lives in the way of being the fabulously fierce individuals that you are. This bring me to the point of free will.

When thinking of free will, we can absolutately take it “old school” if you want and in my case, that would be first communion class in the second grade where I learned that God gave us all free will (I still get hung up on Adam and Eve…really, you just had to have that apple?). Truly, free will is actually power. Really, pause for one minute and just think about that….try, just try to grasp that The Most Omnipotent Soveriegn Being, The One who made you…in His likeness and image…in the face of wanting you to be every bit like Him, gave you and I the power to decide what we would do in this life and what we would not do! That’s some serious power given to us.

The thing about power though is whatever we do with it, by way of choice and decision, we actually have to be able to live with the decisions we make as well as the impact. Now I’ve worked in corporate environments my entire career and I will tell you, a career limiting move I’ve observed in many is consistently failing to just make a decision. I would submit that people are actually not afraid to make decisions, they are actually afraid to have to deal with any repercussions of the decisions made…even if the impct is good! Let me clarify with an example: A young woman recently shared with me that she was trying to determine whether or not to apply for an opportunity in an area of business in which she has absolutely no experience. I NEVER see that as a limitation by the way, but definitely more of an opportunity to highlight a different lens…take a look at my career…half my jobs I’ve really had no business being in if we were going by experience…but I digress. So, this young lady spent 15 minutes walking me through the ‘what ifs’….you know…

What if I apply and I don’t get it?

What if they see my resume and think I’m crazy for applying?

What if…yada yada yada

All to which I said…”and what if you apply, and it actually works out?” Her response: “But then I’d have to move and leave all my friends behind” etc etc etc. See the reality is, she didn’t want to make a decision that might just cause her to have to live with the need to deal with change, and make new friends, and get accustomed to a new city…the list goes on.

Another example? Sure…and of course this one has to do with a boy 🙂 So, another youg women recently shared that she was in a relationship with a young man who she knew just was not for her. She waited for months but finally broke it off, very maturely I might add, and let brother man go. And she is totally ok with her decision. Totally ok with it. This doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt and her heart didn’t have to go through the breaking we are all too familiar with. It just means, she made the decision that she could actually live with.

Here’s the deal, every day we make decisions. I had the pleasure of meeting an incredible decision maker this weekend in Dr. Tina Opie. She is a model of confidence in who she shares who she is, even in just introducing herself, which involves highlighting some life decisions shes’ made. She left an impression on all who were in her presence that she is totally ok with who she is because she makes decisions that she can live with. Now does this mean we are not to make mistakes? ABSOLUTELY NOT! What it does mean is that because I know who I am, I will make decisions that are best for me, more often than not, positively impacts those around me, and even when I don’t make the “best” decisions, the consequences don’t impact others or myself in a way that is detrimental. What does this boil down to…branding…personal branding.

So, here’s my assignment for you this week:

Think about what three factors play the most significant role for you in guiding the deicisions you make every day. For me, mine are that

I am a Christian woman guided by Christian principles, the most important, being the love of everyone around me/treating everyone as I would want to be treated

I am focused on legacy, seeking to leave a positive impact not only in the world in the future, but in my day-to-day and the people I interact with every day

I extend my vision from the here and now and into what I believe will be my future, not limiting my dreams and aspirations by the limitations of my current wallet, status in life, etc

Once you identify your three, post them on your mirror (feel free to share here too via comments) where you can see them every day while brushing your teeth (yes, I just made a decision for you…if you are not brushing your teeth every day…YOU WILL START NOW), and remind yourself every morning that whatever decisions you make, they will be guided by these three important aspects of who you are.

Agan, there will be mistakes, but the decision-making process, leveraging the free will that you have, is a process nonetheless, and so makes it ok.

Soooo, next steps here on LivingFabulouslyFierce is delving into the personal branding space moving forward. Get ready to be introduced, and for some of you reintroduced, to the Bernier Brand Building process of self-discovery definition and distinction. Get ready get ready get ready.

Happy Easter!!! I hope your Resurrection Sunday has gotten off to fabulous start! Easter happens to be my favorite holiday for many reasons but the most important being it is a reminder, for me, of the importance of faith.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Someone recently asked me how do I stay so hopeful and happy about everything when I don’t have everything I would like in my life. I quickly added, “yet…..I don’t have it all, yet,” and explained that I really do believe that what I am seeking and aspire for is in line with what God has for me and as a result, it’s just a matter of time before it comes to pass. That being said, I do have a confidence in what I hope for, an assurance in what I do not see. This is what it means to have faith without fear. Essentially, I have a vision, am definitely a praying woman who seeks wisdom in everything, and I don’t let circumstances or changing life seasons determine my level of faith in the vision that I have. Simply put, there is so much good that I what to do in this world- sooooooooooooooooo much-and my vision incorporates so much that in order for me not to focus on current limitations, I have to pray and seek the wisdom needed to take the right steps toward this vision. Most importantly though, I’ve got to maintain a confidence in the things that I hope for that is not stirred by wind (challenges), rain (moments of frustration), or any distracting “noise” (those to my left and my right who may not be able to see what I see and therefore not be able to support, and actually detract, unintentionally or otherwise).

That being said, my hope for you today is that you will

1-Take the time to consider your vision.

If you’ve been with me since the vision board exercise early on, (LFF#2) go back to that. Remember how I stressed just laying things out not worrying about what might not “make sense”?

What were you able to depict for yourself as a result of taking the limits off of your own thinking?

Have things changed?

If you’ve minimized your vision, why?

If you haven’t laid out your vision, ok I’m going to be a little tough here…chop chop! If you’ve expanded your vision, fabulous!

2-Seek the wisdom to determine what next steps are needed to get closer to realizing your vision.

Be open to the fact that wisdom may actually require that you sit still for a bit. This is the place in which I currently am, and am actually baffled. See, we live in a society in which we’re taught that to “get, get, get we’ve got to do, do, do” and often times this only results in a whirlwind/hamster wheel effect. You know, going around in circles and not making any progress whatsoever. Sometimes, to make progress, we really may need to just sit still or keep moving, but just a bit slower than we’d like, all for the purpose of making sure any moves are actually in the right direction.

3-Maintain your faith without fear.

I’m a big believer that life is all about seasons. There’s an old adage that if you’re going through something right now, know that you’re just a breath away from coming out of it…and if you haven’t gone through something, brace yourself because you’re going to need your strength as you’ll more than likely be going through something of your own very shortly. C’est la vie. That being said, maintaining your faith without fear and with strength requires that you maintain a “seasons perspective” while also maintaining a level of faith that is not shifted by the ups and downs of the life.

Of all the things that may change in life, a few key things remain the same, including the fact that some days are easy and some are hard, but with good company, it can all be pretty fabulous!

When it comes to good company, I am truly blessed beyond measure! I’ve got some pretty remarkable people in my life that I truly count as blessings, gifts really, because I never once asked for them and here they all are, playing a role in Farah Inc. That being said, there are a few key things that are common of those I keep company with that I think are pretty important for all of us. These include,

1-We’re friends, not because we’re perfect, but indeed in spite of our imperfections.

Not a single one of us is perfect in any way, shape or form. We’re just right, the way that we are, in whatever season that we’re in, always growing and developing. But perfect, nope, not one of us. True friends are those who can look at you and appreciate all that you are and all that you’re becoming with a love for you despite the fact that they know you’ll never be perfect, whatever that may mean anyway.

2-We have real expectations of each other.

My friend Ivy and I were chatting once about some of the “interesting” people that we come across in this life.

Ivy and I with Zo! from Foreign Exchange

And when I say interesting, I mean….you know…hmmm, how do I say this…well, the folks who if someone gave you the option of either hanging out with for five minutes or running a marathon on a blistering hot day, well you’d go and get your sneakers and start running. And know that all of us are that “interesting” person for at least one person in this world at one point or another. It’s all good. Anyway, I digress…Ivy and I were chatting about one of her “interestings” and she said, “I knew we really couldn’t be friends because she just had absolutely no expectations of me.” What this was really all about was the fact that this individual did not hold Ivy accountable to be the best Ivy she could be. She and I on the other hand, however, we have “best-self” expectations of each other and really won’t let the other slip too far from meeting that expectation.

3-We know when to heavy-handed and when to be heavy-hearted, maintaining a balance of both.

Sometimes, I really have a hard time with this one because don’t we all just want a hug or someone to tell us, “everything’s going to be ok” or “oh, you’ll be alright, you’ll be fine”? As much of a tough cookie as I can be, sometimes, I really want 90% heavy-hearted and 10% heavy-handed and all I get is the exact opposite…because that’s actually just what I need and fortunately my friends often know better than me. I will definitely say no one in the Farah Bernier Circle will ever baby her. What I am grateful for though is that I am never at a loss of the needed “I need you to get your act together” or the needed “I’m so sorry, I’ll bring over some dessert and we’ll cry this one out or just watch a good movie.”

4-Through it all is love

Speaking of good movies, I recently saw Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself again

and at one point Mary J. Blige’s character sings

“I don’t need no one to put me down, I’m on the ground can’t get no lower. And I don’t need no one to hang around an make me frown…”

I think this points to the fact that the best thing for all of us from the company we keep is love. This makes me think of Job, let me tell you, if I’m ever where he was, I’m pretty certain I don’t need anyone in my crew like the friends he had. They didn’t show him love. It was really all about pity and the perspective that he must’ve done something wrong to warrant him going through what he was experiencing. Job needed love and he didn’t get as much as he needed. Again, grateful that even if they needed to give me a swift kick in the pants, no matter what, it would be in love.

This week, I’m actually going to write, yes actually write a few cards to those in my company just to let them know they’re appreciated and that when it comes right down to it, although I am soooo not a mushy person, yup, I love them.

So, as for you, are you keeping good company? Do the folks in your circle add,
encourage, enlarge your territory, love and have expectations of you? Do they have the same expectation of you and how are you measuring up to that expectation? Are you sowing into their lives as they are yours? Answer these questions, just for you. Finally, this week, in whatever way you choose, reach out to at least three people in your circle with a simple “Hey, you’re pretty fabulous and I’m grateful for you.”

“If you know who you are, then what somebody calls you is just so irrelevant… If I wilted every time somebody in my life mischaracterized me or called me a bad name, I never would have accomplished all that I have to date. You know who you are, so whatever anybody else says is just interesting fodder.” ~Michelle Obama, 2008 Essence Interview

I could just stop right there, huh? How fabulous is she?!?!

Jumping right in, I’m pretty sure all of us have heard some things about ourselves from others that took us by surprise. I know I definitely have. Fortunately, 99% of the folks in my life are those who I can truly have a heart to heart with when things like this come up and what it usually boils down to is almost always misunderstanding. This really takes a good level of self-assuredness and confidence. It’s often so much easier to just sit in hurt over what others say about us, especially when it comes to the situations in which it’s the 1% who are actually just talking to talk….it happens. It takes strength not to wilt and stay focused on what you know about who you are.

So, by now you’ve probably guessed it. The most critical aspect to not wilting under mischaracterization knowing thyself. This week we’re going to focus on a few self-reflective questions around this. Get the journals out folks.

1-What two most valuable truths do you truly know about you, that no one can every persuade you otherwise on?

2-What about yourself are you most sensitive about?

3-How do you usually most productively get over hurt?

4-Who is your ace-someone (s) you can go to and totally pour out without any fear of judgment or any other potential consequence.

Because I’m all about modeling the behavior I expect of others…here goes…

1-First, every day I am focused on being the very best me that I can be and living a life that is honorable based on my Christian values. Second, I have a heart that extends to others in their pain and genuinely celebrate with them in their joy! (Ummmm, did I mention Dre got an Emmy!!!!! That Dionna is on a cruise with her mom this week!!!! And I’m not ashamed to say that there have been moments that I’ve actually clapped for the Jeopardy winner!!!)

2-Ugh so let me explain this one (already sounds like defense doesn’t it) so, I am totally ok with being single…for now as I do look forward to being in a relationship but trust, I am thoroughly enjoying this season. HOWEVER, over the past few weeks, too many people have been asking me the question “so why are you single.” The woman who threads my eyebrows even asked me, “Why you don’t have husband….you don’t like men?” Really? And….oh if you knew the stories that are getting back to me about why I’m single…from folks who don’t even know me…it’s nuts!!! Kinda funny at times. So yes, as that itty bitty rant shows, today, in this season, that’s what I’m most sensitive about, not because it is my season, but because of others’ assessment of it.

3-The way I most productively get over hurt is to have a conversation with the source of the hurt to make sure that I’m actually seeing whatever the situation is through the same lens as them and understand their intention. When that doesn’t or can’t happen for whatever reason, my other option…real simple….pray, and move on.

4-No naming names here but I actually have two usual suspects that I go to when I really just need to let it all out.

Whew! Breathe!

Why is it important to answer these questions, well, when I identify and spell out my most valuable self-truths, starting with just two to get the ball rolling, well, then nothing that comes my way to contradict those truths will get me to move away from these because I know that I know that I know these truths about myself. The are part of who I am. If I know my own sensitivities and can get to the root of them to understand what’s behind them, no one can use them against me. It’s like one of our Partners recently shared, “I know I’m fat, you know I’m fat, can we just move on or do you need to put in another joke to make you feel just as good about you as I do about me regardless of how I look?” That’s an “in your face” statement if I ever heard one.

For as long as we’re living, we’re going to experience pain and hurt from others. It’s just reality, but as Rick Warren says, “God never wastes a hurt, but uses it for a purpose in your life and the lives of others.” That being said, as long as you know how you get through hurt, you’re better prepared to employ that strategy once things come up. Finally, we all need someone with whom we can be totally transparent, who will know when to hold our hand and cry with us or tell us to get over ourselves, stand up straight, get in line, and keep moving. To my aces, you know who you are, Thanks!!! Love ya!!!

Since all of this requires the fighter in all of us to come out, the soundtracks of the week are

So, we’re going to take a little break from the factors this week. I had some really, really good stuff planned (even gave a little preview on my sister Sharon Brewster’s, Founder of the Outlet for Women, Facebook page) but there was something going on this week for a lot of people because I got a ton of inbox notes including the questions and commentary above. I even met up with a friend who shared that someone asked her “Is Farah really as happy as she seems to be on Facebook?” What really came out of all of this for me is that we, you and I, have more of an opportunity to learn more about each other. So, consider this pause from the factors just a little free flow forum, more so than the usual, where you get more insight into who I am.

Now, to get to the question of am I as happy-go-lucky as you experience me here via LFF, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, in person? WITHOUT A DOUBT YES!!!! Is it a 24/7 happiness? C’mon folks, I’m the founder of LFF but I didn’t lose my humanity in the process. Yes, Farah Bernier is human! Shocking, I know. Here’s the deal though, what I’ve learned, and I have to thank good ole Boston College Half-Time Retreats for this, happiness is temporary-to be enjoyed, appreciated, and held on to for as long as possible. Joy, however, is the key to the 24/7 experiences of happiness one of my more senior followers expressed desire in.

The reason this distinction between happiness and joy is so important to understand is that one thing with me is that I really am an “in the moment” kind of individual. I love life and all that it brings, yes, even the challenges and the pain because they actually bring growth and strength. I don’t know if this is a skill or just part of how I’m built, a long time ago, I just learned how to focus in on what is in the moment and appreciate every ounce of that. So right now, I am truly, truly happy. Blogging with a focus on helping others develop, reflect, and progress, however they define it for themselves, while growing in the process, myself, just makes me so happy.

Joy though, that’s when you can step back from a moment, look at your whole life picture, se the highs, the lows, the clarity, the incomprehensible confusing and rest in that it is truly all working out for your good and you are totally ok in all of it, built for it in fact. See it? Yup, that’s joy.

And yes, I definitely have my lows….still questioning? Well, here’s the deal; by now, you know, or I think you know, I’m pretty obsessed with personal branding. Those of you connected with me on Facebook may have even seen a recent post by superstar Veronica Chapman (CEO of My Crowning Jewel…check check check check check it out) where she noted Donald Trump needing to take one of my workshops J Because of my passion around personal branding, I really do try to live and operate in a way that reinforces and strengthens my brand. The key to that is consistency in the experiences others have with me. No, no, no, this is not about putting up a front or a façade in any form or fashion! Just as critical as consistency is authenticity (trying sooooo hard not to get into personal branding teaching mode right now). Essentially, you just have to be true to who you are…just be real. What personal branding is about though, is being humble and strong enough to,(ready?)….brace yourselves, get over yourself and whatever is going on in your life, and focus on creating positive experiences that others can leave from you after an interaction and feel lifted up, not weighed down or diminished because of your choice of reveling in your problems. Heavy, I know. I’ll even say it, OUCH!

So about my lows? Most definitely I have them, just like everyone else. See you wouldn’t know that I recently had to say goodbye to my Uncle who’s gone on to be with The Lord and all I keep thinking about is his grand stature and his ever-gentle, subtle reassuring smile. You also wouldn’t know that I was recently hurt by one who I really believed was a trustworthy and dear friend, whom I now have to confront about how I’ve felt slighted. You also wouldn’t know that I have many around me who are going through some heavy stuff and there is nothing I can do to help accept just be there to help them laugh, give a gentle hug and believe for them that it’s all going to be ok when they can’t believe for themselves.

Am I hiding all of this? Not at all. Do I just bottle everything in and not express any emotion? Absolutely not. My inner circle has been working overtime as I’ve needed a few “I just need to get this off my chest” sessions. All that I am doing is balancing. See, with my Uncle, for me, he’s gone too soon, but I am overwhelmed with joy just knowing that he is sooooooooooooooooooooooo happy right now. I just know he’s up there and that smile is literally stretched ear to ear. It actually warms my heart. With the hurt from my friend, what are relationships but experiences across the spectrum of fabulous and downright painful? The benefit there: I’ve got wisdom, and now can test how strong I really am in determining whether or not I’ll be an adult and have the conversation or cower and punk out because it will be a tough conversation. As for the struggling around me, well, quite frankly, I just don’t get some of the things I have to watch folks go through-cancer, divorce, depression-I just don’t get it. One thing that I believe though is that there’s a reason this is all around me and it must be because God sees me as able, even when I don’t, to lift their spirits when needed and spread the joy that He’s already given me.

Finally, just to be completely real with you, I am one who really operates under a faith that has never been disappointing. No, this doesn’t mean that I just pray for everything, believe, and I get everything that I want. What it means is that I believe that The One I believe in, always gives me what I need, when I need it, even when my when isn’t lined up with His when. Yup, there are things that I’ve prayed and believed for that just haven’t come. But all in due time and because of this, though sometimes disappointed and annoyed quite frankly, I know that it’s all working out for my good. There are things that I asked for at 21 that I know that I know that I know that if I received when I was 21 or even just a little older, I’d be a hot mess! One of my Pastors, Robyn Reese (remember that name because you’re about to hear about her in some pretty influential circles) once said to me, “Sweetie, if God showed you everything He has in store for you, it might literally kill you because you just could not even handle it.” But with everything in due time, man oh man is this life turning out to be pretty fabulous!

So, yup, that’s me. Hope this shed a little more light on who I am, what I’m about, how happy I really am, and how in the world I can be smiling all the time. And since I denied you a factor this week, I’ll leave you with a preview of the next: Living Fabulously Fierce Factor #16: Accepting Happiness and Committing to Joy. More to come on!

Soundtrack of the week: So, I’m not a singer, but I’m giving you a little bit of me today. Enjoy!